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i was under the impression that the price listed was the price you pay yet i read some posts saying they bought it for a significantly lower price, for example the roland v piano.

when is it ok is bargain and how would you do it?

I bought my V-Piano at a discounted price......and the dealer threw in a pair of good AKG headphones and a music stand too. This was in the UK, boxed and brand new.

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"I don't play accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life."

In the US when you buy a digital piano from a regular piano dealer you can indeed negotiate the price and it is more or less standard practice. Have a look in the PianoBuyer as it lists street prices of various models:

Online? Depends on the store. Amazon ...no you cannot even speak to a live salesperson for a sale price but they do have sale prices without negotiation. Musician's Friend ...yes if you call them instead of doing transaction online, BH Photo ...they will discuss this through e-mail.

Try local merchants also and see what they are willing to do to compete with online prices. You might end up paying more but they will probably take good care of you to make up the difference.

As the holder of the cash, you most certainly should negotiate. Keep in mind that that vast majority of sales people are on commission. They want the sale, and in most cases will take a lower sale price instead of watching you walk out the door.

MacMacMac gave you the key. Apply the points he mentioned and be willing to walk out the door.

how about in canada when the competitors are much fewer? I think there is only 1 kawai digital piano seller in the whole country.

It has nothing to do with the number of dealers in your area. It has to do with how many commissions the sales person wants to make this paycheck.

Sure, dealers may feel more pressure when there is a nearby competing dealer. But as a buyer, you need not depend on that kind of competition. Instead, look at it this way: The dealer isn't competing with another dealer. He's competing with you. YOU are the competition. YOU control your spending. That is your source of power in any negotiation.

Sure, dealers may feel more pressure when there is a nearby competing dealer. But as a buyer, you need not depend on that kind of competition. Instead, look at it this way: The dealer isn't competing with another dealer. He's competing with you. YOU are the competition. YOU control your spending. That is your source of power in any negotiation.

you negotiate with the sale person. It's just business,nothing personal. No sentiments no pardon, an American way No wonder we have the best sales people in the world. The best way is play reluctant buyer and negotiate in the same time with at least few dealers. You'll will be surprised with the effect.

how about in canada when the competitors are much fewer? I think there is only 1 kawai digital piano seller in the whole country.

It has nothing to do with the number of dealers in your area. It has to do with how many commissions the sales person wants to make this paycheck.

Sure, dealers may feel more pressure when there is a nearby competing dealer. But as a buyer, you need not depend on that kind of competition. Instead, look at it this way: The dealer isn't competing with another dealer. He's competing with you. YOU are the competition. YOU control your spending. That is your source of power in any negotiation.

Plus the following argument: a dealer wants to earn a steady income. If he knows he will sell only infrequently (as in Canada), he will not let any of his few sales be unprofitable for himself and will less likely accept low offers. In a customer-rich environment, the dealer has a smooth income already, and may be more prone to make less on a few sales because of negotiation.

I compared the prices in Canada vs. the US and in the Great White North, we pay about double of what you pay in the US, even though the Canadian Loonie is at parity with the $US. If I show up in a Canadian store and make an offer at the average US price (doing my "homework"), the dealer will laugh at my face. Starting the negociation at 50% lower puts you into the category of Bozo the Clown, not that of a serious buyer.

Anyways - I'm not in the market for digitals anymore. Maybe in 10 years...

An interesting thought but I can't really see myself bargaining for a lower price in any of the local musical instrument shops -- partly because I most likely wouldn't dare engage in such a thing but also -- and more importantly, I think -- because it's not a common thing to do around here. The larger vendors do compete on price between each other but in a way that they will offer you a better price only if you show them that you can get what you want for less elsewhere. However, I don't think I could just walk in and start asking for a better price on a whim.

My experience is that stores will sometimes refuse to lower the listed price -- but they will (if asked!) be willing to include 'freebies' related to the purchase:

. . . a stand;

. . . a gig bag;

. . . sheet music;

. . . a pedal (to replace the "stock" Casio PX-150 pedal).

Also, I suspect that a $5,000 price is more "negotiable" than a $500 price. The higher-priced item is harder to sell, and carries (probably) a higher profit margin for the store. So there's more "wiggle room" for the salesman.

Clayman: I wouldn't bother showing them that I can buy elsewhere for less. Doing so puts you right in the middle of the market competition. If there is little competition in the region, there's little chance of success with that strategy.

So instead, I would seek to create a different kind of competition: Let the dealer compete with ME. I'll only buy at the right price. I always have an alternative: not buying at all. That's what the dealer must compete with.

KataiYubi: Sure, if you start the negotiation at 50% below list you won't be taken seriously. I think 35% off of list (in the US) is rock-bottom. I would offer 30% off.

chickenlump: You're right: Dealers will only give list prices on the phone ... or might not offer any pricing information. But that's okay. You can't negotiate price on the phone anyway.

Negotiation should be face-to-face. Spend the time and visit the dealer ... and show that you're willing to buy.

If you're thinking that you'll save time by working a deal on the phone: don't. Trying to save time in a negotiation is a losing strategy. He who is short of time is likely to lose. He who has time to spare is likely to be successful.

how about in canada when the competitors are much fewer? I think there is only 1 kawai digital piano seller in the whole country.

It has nothing to do with the number of dealers in your area. It has to do with how many commissions the sales person wants to make this paycheck.

Sure, dealers may feel more pressure when there is a nearby competing dealer. But as a buyer, you need not depend on that kind of competition. Instead, look at it this way: The dealer isn't competing with another dealer. He's competing with you. YOU are the competition. YOU control your spending. That is your source of power in any negotiation.

Plus the following argument: a dealer wants to earn a steady income. If he knows he will sell only infrequently (as in Canada), he will not let any of his few sales be unprofitable for himself and will less likely accept low offers. In a customer-rich environment, the dealer has a smooth income already, and may be more prone to make less on a few sales because of negotiation.

I compared the prices in Canada vs. the US and in the Great White North, we pay about double of what you pay in the US, even though the Canadian Loonie is at parity with the $US. If I show up in a Canadian store and make an offer at the average US price (doing my "homework"), the dealer will laugh at my face. Starting the negociation at 50% lower puts you into the category of Bozo the Clown, not that of a serious buyer.

Anyways - I'm not in the market for digitals anymore. Maybe in 10 years...

Bottom line is, you are either a wise consumer and negotiate sales terms and price based on studied knowledge, or a pushover consumer that pays the asking price.

Nobody is suggesting acting like "Bozo the Clown", and offering 50%. That is an extreme, somewhat like "digital is garbage".